Well, the stimulus seems to have been passed, in part, on the backs of children. TPM got their hands on a draft of the conference agreement, and here are some of the losses in education:
The $500,000,000 new work study program for college students has been cut to $200,000,000.
Funds for school technology cut from $1 billion to $650,000,000.
The entire $14 billion fund for K-12 school construction has disappeared, though states can apply for construction dollars from a separate "stabilization fund."
$24,000,000 for innovation and improvement in the charter school sector is totally gone.
In better news, the House won out on teacher quality, preserving $100,000,000 for teacher residency programs bringing new teachers into high-need schools. And despite the cuts, this spending still represents the largest single investment ever into the Department of Education -- an investment that is greater than the current department's discretionary budget.
--Dana Goldstein
If you enjoyed this article, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. For over 30 years, The American Prospect has delivered independent reporting that exposes corporate power, investigates political corruption, and analyzes threats to our democracy. Unlike many media outlets, we’re not owned by billionaires or corporations—we’re powered by readers like you.
Today’s independent journalism faces unprecedented challenges. Your support makes our reporting possible and keeps our work free and accessible to all. Whether it’s $5 or $50, every contribution helps sustain our nonprofit newsroom.
Join our community of supporters and make a donation today to help keep independent journalism thriving.
Copyright 2025 | The American Prospect, Inc. | All Rights Reserved